as in oblique
running in a slanting direction
the leaning tower of Pisa is a popular tourist attraction in Italy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in direction
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
despite what his athletic leanings might suggest, he was actually a very lazy kid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tilting
to set or cause to be at an angle
just lean the ladder against the tree and climb up it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tending
to show a liking or proneness (for something)
the family's diet leans toward greasy food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
you can always lean on me if you need help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leaning
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
In the years since, researchers found, the group maintained smooth relations with the government as its more than 1,000 chapters nationwide encompass Egyptians of all political leanings.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
The freed prisoners could be seen in the videos leaning out of bus windows and waving at the crowd welcoming them back home.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Noun
Crooks appeared to have acted alone and did appear to hold any to any particularly strong political leanings.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
In the years since, researchers found, the group maintained smooth relations with the government as its more than 1,000 chapters nationwide encompass Egyptians of all political leanings.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
What is clear is that Matthiessen’s socializing with left-leaning French and expatriate artists served the deep state’s agenda.
—Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
The freed prisoners could be seen in the videos leaning out of bus windows and waving at the crowd welcoming them back home.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
-
Standout additions included the Isidora pointy pumps with oblique block heels — especially striking in a bicolor patent version — and the brand’s first sneakers.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The Seahawks began the game without outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (quad), then lost outside linebacker Derick Hall (oblique) after the first drive, while the Bucs started backups at right guard and right tackle.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Add pasta; cook according to package directions for al dente.—
Elizabeth Mervosh,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
King said he was inspired in part by Rader’s arrest, more specifically, by his ability to keep his murderous tendencies completely unknown to the rest of his family.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The Patriots defensive staff sifts through all kinds of data while scripting a game plan, from traditional player scouting reports, scheme tendencies, statistical analyses and film findings of their own.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Something, the researchers said, must be disturbing these orbits and tilting them.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Lifting the controller and swinging it swiftly down hammers steel at Atsu’s family forge, gently pulling the trigger urges a campfire’s tendrils higher, while tilting it this way and that lowers mushrooms further into that fire for cooking.—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Not on his wife’s behalf but, rather, for the fact that he’d been given this luxury, had spent his life tending to his mind in the space that his wife had cleared for him.—
Ayşegül Savaş,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Low-income people also struggle to afford the healthy foods doctors recommend such as fresh produce, tending toward cheaper, higher-calorie options.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But relying on a 35-year-old, who was already showing signs of decline with diminishing velocity, to return to being one of the best pitchers in the sport after Tommy John surgery, is a risk.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of relying on smelting or harsh acids, Endolith’s microbes attach to the ore and pull out the copper faster.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That’s likely to make voters think twice before unseating her, even when national tides run against Republicans.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
For years, technological, geographical and financial hurdles impeded wave and tide energy development.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As Tuchel attested, England’s inclination to regain possession was as impressive as their work on the ball.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
But Iapetus’s inclination and equatorial ridge — which is more continuous on the Saturn-facing side — remain mysterious.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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